Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Also required is 90 credits in information systems or computer science or a similar field of study.

Language requirements

All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

• IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
• TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
• Cambridge: CAE, CPE

Aims

The Master Programme in Information Systems provides in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of system and program development. The programme provides an understanding of various types of problems and how software solutions can be created following an appropriate selection of development method, programming language, and tools. Furthermore, the programme is designed to prepare students to collaborate methodically in projects, to make use of available resources to develop robust software that is beneficial to an employer’s operations. The programme takes its point of departure in human aspects of the development and use of IT.

The programme is built around three cardinal themes

- complex information systems,

- the systems development process, and

- the organisational context of information systems and system development.

With the deeper knowledge they have acquired, students will be well equipped to lead in the development of the information society

Learning outcomes

Goals as expected outcomes

In terms of understanding and knowledge, upon completing the programme students will have acquired

• knowledge and understanding of information systems, including both a broad knowledge of the field and significantly deeper knowledge of the fields of complex information systems, the system development process, and the context of information systems and system development,
• greater depth of insight into current research and development work, and
• greater depth in their knowledge of methods in information systems.

In terms of skills and proficiencies, upon completing the programme students will have acquired and will be able to demonstrate

• a capacity to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, evaluate, and deal with complex IT-related phenomena, issues, and situations, even with limited information,
• a capacity to critically, independently, and creatively identify and formulate questions, to plan and execute advanced tasks within given time frames and using appropriate methods, thereby contributing to the generation of knowledge, as well as to evaluate this work,
• a proficiency in developing and applying in project form complex information systems in order to solve problems and exploit the potential in individuals, organisations, and the wider community,
• a capacity to solve problems in collaboration with others and to reflect on and develop forms of collaboration in system development processes,
• a familiarity with applicable methods for developing complex information systems in various organisational contexts,
• a capacity in both national and international contexts, orally and in writing, to clearly present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments that lie behind them in dialogue with various groups, and
• - skills required to take part in research and development work or to work independently in other advanced activities.

In terms of evaluative capacity and approach, upon completing the programme students will have acquired

• a capacity to make judgements in the major field of information systems taking into consideration relevant academic, social, and ethical aspects and to evince an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work,
• insights into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society, and people’s responsibility for how it is used, and
• a capacity to identify their need for further knowledge and to take the responsibility for their own knowledge development.

Layout of the programme

Content and Structure of the Programme

The programme comprises 120 higher education credits, 22.5 higher education credits of which are in other social scientific subjects. The programme provides in-depth knowledge in the field of IT. Current methods for system development and research-related courses are central to the programme. Major system development projects are carried out in the course “knowledge management” (managing the shared knowledge of an organisation), “software engineering” (construction of computer systems), and “agile methods” (easily mobile methods of system development).

The programme consists of courses at the advanced level and are structured as follows:

Term Courses

T 1 Information systems 1-22.5 credits, Social scientific subject 7.5 credits

T 2 Information systems 22.5-52.5 credits

T 3 Information systems 52.5-67.5 credits, Social scientific subjects 15 credits

T 4 Information systems 67.5-97.5 credits

The first year deals with the subject area of artificial intelligence, including the representation of knowledge, declarative problem solving, searching, planning methods, and strategies. Furthermore, strategic communication and research methods are studied. The year concludes with project-based studies in “knowledge management” and “software engineering.” The second year comprises agile system development with project management and programming. Moreover, courses in human-computer interaction and business studies are included. The programme concludes with a degree project presented in the form of a paper. The major field of the degree project is information systems. The degree project may be based on project work in collaboration with the business community and/or be related to current research in the field.

Instruction

Forms of Instruction and Examination

Instruction is given in the form of lectures, classroom sessions, laboratory sessions, and seminars. More practical instruction is given in connection with laboratory work at computers and supervision of written assignments, papers, and essays. Examinations in courses consist of written examinations, seminars, and written assignments. Grades given for courses taken are “Fail,” “Pass,” and “Pass with distinction.”

Degree

The programme leads to a two-year Master's degree (Degree of Master of Science, 120 credits) with information systems as the major field of study. The Master's degree requires 120 higher education credits, 60 higher education credits of which are in the major field, including an independent project (degree project) worth 30 higher education credits.

An exit option may be utilised after one year, with the programme then leading to a one-year Master's degree (Degree of Master of Science, 60 credits)with information systems as the major field of study. The one-year Master's degree requires 60 higher education credits, 30 higher education credits of which are in the major field, including an independent project (degree project) worth 15 higher education credits.

Other directives

The two-year Master programme allows an exit option after one year with the possibility of taking a one-year Master's degree, 60 higher education credits at the advanced level. The programme provides eligibility for research-level education in information systems.